![The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi. [PHOTO CREDIT: The Presidency]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2025/06/Attorney-General-of-the-federation-Lateef-Fagbemi.jpeg?fit=650%2C350&ssl=1)
Nine men accused of involvement in the deadly Yelwata attack in Benue State on Monday pleaded not guilty to terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, a day after the federal government announced their planned arraignment.
They were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik on a 57-count amended charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), PREMIUM TIMES learnt from court proceedings and a report by PUNCH Online.
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On Sunday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the federal government said it would arraign suspects arrested over the June 2025 Yelwata massacre, assuring Nigerians that justice would be pursued following what it described as painstaking investigations and inter-agency collaboration.
Charges amended, one suspect dropped
At Monday’s proceedings, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, appeared in person alongside the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo.
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Mr Fagbemi informed the court that the prosecution had filed an amended 57-count charge dated 19 January 2026 and applied to withdraw the case against the sixth defendant, Yakubu Mamman.
He also sought to discontinue an earlier eight-count charge filed in September 2025.
The defence did not object, prompting Justice Abdul-Malik to strike out the name of the sixth defendant and withdraw the earlier charge.
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Those standing trial are Ardo Lawal Mohammed, Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibrin.
Alleged planning of the Yelwata attack
With the aid of an interpreter, the amended charge was read to the defendants, all of whom pleaded not guilty.
In the first count, the prosecution accused them of participating in meetings between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State to plan the attack on the Yelwata community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack, carried out on 13 June 2025, allegedly led to the burning of houses, serious injuries and the killing of about 150 people.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 12(a) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Trial dates fixed
Mr Fagbemi asked the court to order an accelerated hearing and to remand the defendants pending trial, adding that the prosecution would call eight witnesses.
Defence counsel made an oral bail application, but the judge directed them to file a formal application in response to the prosecution’s amended motion.
READ ALSO: Nigerian govt to arraign suspects who killed scores of people in Yelwata, Benue
Justice Abdul-Malik adjourned the case to 26 and 27 February for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The Yelwata attack is one of the deadliest incidents in Benue’s recent history. It has featured prominently in PREMIUM TIMES’ reporting on the protracted insecurity in the state, marked by repeated attacks on rural communities and mass displacement.
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